Report from a Housing Action Team Member

by: Benj Thomas

When Healthy Mendocino led the effort to generate a community health needs assessment, it was not surprising that the housing shortage emerged as a major focus. In June 2016, community leaders formed five Action Teams, each with a goal of addressing a major contributor to community health issues. The five teams are Childhood Obesity and Family Wellness, Childhood Trauma, Poverty, Mental Health, and Housing. In monthly meetings since the initial planning session, the Housing Action Team, chaired by MaryLou Leonard, has articulated its goals and reached out to engage a broad group of stakeholders and leaders.

Much of our Team’s early work has focused on framing the housing issue. Initially, we focused on low- and moderate-income housing and shelter for the homeless. But we soon realized that the housing crisis in Mendocino County is not limited to the lower end of the housing market. The shortage of housing at all price levels has created a huge logjam in the region’s economy, with consequent problems for employers and job-seekers, and thus for all County residents.

One of our goals is to create new opportunities for citizens to learn about local housing issues and become part of the solution. In the past, public reaction to the housing shortage was limited. Many were aware of the problem, but there were few opportunities for meaningful public discussion of potential remedies. The obstacles to increasing housing stock were known: the shortage of available land zoned for housing, the low return on investment as perceived by contractors, and the high cost of permits and utility hook-ups. Even the Lake County fires worked to block local construction.

In the last two or so years, however, the housing crisis has moved to the front burner―not just in Mendocino County but across California―and the heat has been turned up. While homelessness helped to galvanize public attention to these issues, there is growing recognition that local employers and organizations, both public and private, also have serious housing concerns. Community leaders in and beyond the Housing Action Team are meeting regularly to discuss the issue and determine what to do about it.

We have acknowledged the problem; but what can and should happen next is pretty complicated. Here are some of the questions that in my view need to be answered:

1. Can we continue this discussion with open minds, committed to the best solution for all in our community?
2. Can we find a balance between managing inevitable change and preserving the quality of life in our towns, cities, and countryside?
3. Given the current political climate, can we obtain the help we need from either the state or the federal government to impact the crisis?
4. Can we agree on/mandate/legislate changes that will reduce the cost of permitting and utility services for construction? Should we?
5. Can we agree to changes in established policy around zoning and land use that will facilitate desirable growth?
6. Do we as a community agree to commit public funds or other incentives that will be required to create more low-income housing?
7. Are we as a community cognizant of the true cost of insufficient and sub-standard housing, costs incurred in public health expenditures, emergency services, education and public infrastructure?

These are just some of the  questions our communities will need to discuss and resolve. To help generate and inform the public discussion and stimulate action, the Housing Action Team plans at least one public forum in the next year where community members can share factual information and candidly discuss all the issues and options. A productive model of a housing forum took place in Anderson Valley in February, led by a Housing Action Team member.

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Benj Thomas, a former two-term member of the Ukiah City Council, is a member of the Healthy Mendocino Project’s Housing Action Team. More information about this and other Action Teams is posted on HealthyMendocino.org. New members are welcome.